Timberline Resources Corp. announced today the appointment of Steve Osterberg, Ph.D., P.G., Q.P., as vice president of exploration. Osterberg has 25 years of experience in domestic and international minerals exploration, as well as multi-disciplined experience in every aspect of economic exploration geology. He has taken part in the advancement of numerous exploration discoveries and also managed his own geologic consulting practice, developing and leading the geology-geohydrology-geochemistry practice at Tetra-Tech Metals and Mining.

Osterberg's experience and education will be valuable to Timberline as the company moves its Butte Highlands Gold Project toward production and also advances its explorations properties. Osterberg's experience encompasses various geologic terrains, including Nevada's Great Basin, southwest U.S. porphyries, the Canadian Shield, the Mid-Continent rift, the Western Cordillera and the Andean orogenic. Osterberg has additionally held positions at Knight Piesold, BHP Minerals International, Minnova, Noranda, Kerr-McGee and St. Joe American Corp. He received Ph.D. and M.S. geology degrees from the University of Minnesota.

Osterberg has received 100,000 options to acquire common shares of Timberline at an exercise price equal to the stock's closing price on Feb. 1, vesting immediately and with a term of five years. This is in connection with his appointment.

Timberline Resources is currently involved in the exploration and development of advanced-stage gold properties in the western U.S., primarily focusing on the gold fields of Nevada. Gold production is slated to begin in 2012 at Timberline's Butte Highlands Joint Venture, in which the company holds a 50 percent carried-to-production interest.